Saturday, March 22, 2014

Pablo Gunner uses the little intelligence he has to muster up some written comic book reviews of the titles that he thinks his fellow nerds would want to know about most and the books that didn’t quite make it onto the Comicast. Read these reviews of WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN #2, UNCANNY X-MEN #19, ALL NEW INVADERS #3, and WITCHER #1.

WITCHER #1 (OF 5)

(W) Paul Tobin (A) Joe Querio (CA) Dan Panosian, Dave Johnson

3.99

Whether you’ve played the games or not it seems that either way you will be at least somewhat confused going into this book. The Witcher, Geralt, whom is the main character of the games and this story. If you have played the games you will know that this book is very much in the vein of the video game as it feels like on of the many boring conversations that the character has with side characters that become side quests and unfortunately this is one of those less interesting side quests. The art and writing did a spot-on job with their portrayal of the world and its characters. The art style is very sketchy, gritty, grimy, and dark just like the game with a stronger artistic presence than impressive graphics. Geralt, for one seemed perfectly done character wise and the other character definitely felt of the same world but them and their conversations were just as dry as in the game which doesn’t not work so well in the comic book medium. Honestly that was the biggest problem with this book. Everything was too much like the actual game and not enough like a comic. It was boring and dry even though it was accurate. I can not recommend this book purely based off of that.Verdict: PASS

ALL NEW INVADERS #3 ANMN

(W) James Robinson (A) Steve Pugh (CA) Mukesh Singh

3.99

I was very reluctant to read this title since the last one was so awful but I pushed myself to do it for the good of you all and in hope that this issue would redeem the last one since the first issue was so good. As far as story, character, and dialogue goes this issue definitely improved from the last. I honestly feel that if you missed last issue, skipped it altogether, or had it erased from your mind because you were so distraught from it that all of that would be just fine. There’s not a lot of action or huge story developments going on in this issue but there are plans made, some of it carried out, and a few revelations. There was a nice flashback of Namor getting his butt kicked by the Kree so that was cool. The whole reason that the Kree had been after the original Invaders was kind of a let down especially since it was so built up. The introduction and inclusion of the original Vision was made. To tell you the truth I had no idea there was another Vision. That was weird and he was too but they pointed that out themselves so it wasn’t bad. The art improved as well. I don’t know what it was, maybe a different inker or colors in the first issue but it blew me away. Steve Pugh has done great work for plenty of other titles but the art was really lacking in the last issue. It was better in this one but not nearly as good as the first. The first to blame is always the artist but it could be something else, I’m not sure. Overall I enjoyed it. I like where the story s going, a little odd as it may be but the art needs to improve for me to be picking it up every month.

Verdict: STRONG Skim

UNCANNY X-MEN #19.NOW ANMN

(W) Brian Michael Bendis (A/CA) Chris Bachalo

3.99

For me this title has kind of been all over the place. The writing has always been consistent with Bendis at the helm even if it is long and drawn out. I don’t mind that much as it means there is always great dialogue and well done, interesting character development that creates a lot of fantastic plot threads. Some of those plot threads are tied in this issue which felt much needed. The main one proceeded to clear up one and bring many unanswered questions. Maria Hill interrogates the new but also short lived X-Men, Hijack. That was definitely interesting to say the least. We also find out what happened to Dazzler. The X-Men go looking for an omega level mutant, end up fighting some new sentinels which creates a new mystery but also leads to something that has been a long time coming. Really its something that should have happened directly after Battle of The Atom but since Bendis decided to take some time to have some more character focused issues it should be starting next issue. As I said the writing has always been consistent but the same can not be said about the art. For one this title has had multiple artists that really don’t look anything alike. The most consistent presence on this book has been Bachalo. At this point he’s the artist I prefer the most for this title but he himself is not always consistent when it comes to overall quality. This one definitely one of his more well done issues but I won’t deny a little confusion during the X-Men’s battle against the sentinels. Could that have been on purpose considering the story? I think so but you have to make that decision yourself and you should especially if you have the money on hand.

Verdict: weak BUY

WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN #2 ANMN

(W) Jason Latour (A/CA) Mahmud A. Asrar

3.99

When you’ve been spoiled by one of the greatest writers in comics at the time its hard to compete and even harder to follow. I kind of blame Jason Aaron for how I feel about this book because he did such a superb job with this title and I could honesty say that it had been my favorite title since its inception at the end of 2011. That being said this issue is not bad but its not what I’ve come to expect. There are elements that interest me, most of the same characters are being used, and its never looked better nut its just not the same anymore. I know that this title can’t and won’t ever be what it was but I can’t help but compare it and realize that its just not as good. I am looking forward to what they’re doing with Genesis, whose destiny is to become Apocalypse, as I always felt he was an underutilized character in Aaron’s run. Storm calling Wolvie out on his BS was cool too. I’m still not sure about this Phoenix Corporation that was introduced at the end of last issue. Even though its focused towards Quentin Quire instead of Hope or young, not dead, out of timeline, Jean Grey it still feels like too much Phoenix stuff lately in fact I’m ready for a good break from the Phoenix for a while. Thats one element that might keep me from wanting to read this every time it comes out. This book has potential thats for sure but so far they’re only partially tapping into and instead tapping into something that is surely getting stale.